It was a hectic and busy month for me but I got through it and made awesome memories! Here are pics from some of my favorite events of the month: Community commitment, my cousin’s wedding, my cousin’s high school graduation and my best friends’ wedding with washing of the feet.
June, I’m ready for you.
A full time job, startup, two weddings as a bridesmaid, Sunday school, youth ministry, making a women’s community commitment and everything in between. This will be the craziest month yet! This weekend was a good start with friends and family but it’s about to go 100 mph!
I just need to get through this month before my birth month!!!
I started a new job this week. I’m at that stage where it’s information overload because I’m learning a new company culture and a new project simultaneously. It’s intimidating and motivating! This new company is large but seems to truly invest in its people so I’m encouraged to grow as a professional with them. I never thought I was good enough to apply, especially when I was in college, but they saw something in me that aligns with their mission!
I have great family, friends and former coworkers who supported me through the process. Thank you! Also,thanks be to God, even though 2015 has been crazy so far in various ways(another post if I can find the time), it was still your perfect timing.
As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you; abide in my love. – John 15:9
This past weekend I was blessed with another opportunity to attend a partially silent retreat with wonderful women. There I realized that although I may make decisions that don’t reflect my love for God, He will always love me much more than I could ever love Him back. Instead of ignoring that love or taking it for granted with the busyness of life, I needed to discern what I could be doing to fully live my life in the present and abide in that love.
The three main areas I felt God wanted me to examine in my life was prayer, community and vocation. I cannot brush aside my personal prayer time and ignore how beautiful Mass and Adoration is. Lord knows I’ve been struggling with just allowing him to work in my life and see me through the busyness. If I can grow in my relationship with God in that way, relationships in my family, friends, community and youth ministry will become more fruitful.
Now, I have a greater trust than I previously had. I have a better understanding of what I should be doing in my life and what my life’s purpose is. I will let God reveal it to me day by day.
September 21, 2013
sort of, It got rained out and it was at the end of the season. I did enjoy the company of a few friends and waiting in the rain for my first taste of Shake Shack!
I WILL ATTEND THIS YEAR (2014) ON A NICE DAY OR NIGHT!
Nationals park entrance
August 21, 2013
This was something I wanted to do for a long time. Having lived in the Archdiocese of Washington, it’s surprising I’ve never attended Mass here. We’ve Basilica numerous times though (one of my favorite places in DC and in general). I visited here for the first time with CK. It was my first time seeing him in a year after his mission trip. I wanted to attend a daily Mass in thanksgiving for that and to pray of course! We had breakfast in DC and walked all the way to the cathedral. It wasn’t a bad walk at all! I had a good confession and Mass experience with people I assume work in the area in attendance. I hope to meet Jesus here many more times in the future.
August 7, 2013- Craziest day of my life. It was exhilarating. I was thankful to share that day with great people. =)
I cannot remember whose page I snatched this from! P/C to either JP or KC =)
“Sometimes the thing God wants you to do, isn’t what you want.”
Said six months ago by a friend I miss.
Thursday the 6th was my 24th birthday. I didn’t have huge plans for the day other than dinner after work, nonetheless it was great. My day included a small Birthday Cake Oreos surprise from my siblings, daily Mass, a Google Hangout with my boyfriend ( he is currently in another country), calls, notifications, and Peking duck!
Peking duck for dinner
If you mentioned to me two weeks ago that my birthday was coming up, I probably didn’t sound excited about being 24. Thursday came around and I was reminded I have plenty to be thankful for, especially the little things, in my life and the past year of being 23 years old.
Here are 24 random things I’m thankful for in no particular order:
Yup, random . There’s so much more I am thankful for! I just wanted to write another list.
*Update after starting my draft*
My boyfriend and best girlfriends planned a cute Sound of Music themed breakfast and then a surprise lunch on Saturday. I thought it would be just the girls but I was deceived in a good way. I was happy to see my sorority Little and another childhood buddy (not pictured)! Very sweet you guys! I am so thankful and appreciative of this and for all of you.
After our surprise lunch at an Austrian restaurant.
Another year of life, let’s go!
Time to sleep. I’m still not sleeping right on weekdays.
I’ve been thinking about this new month of May and how there are so many things coming up. Summer is right around the corner and then before we know it, it will be Fall! I already know plenty of important dates and events to be planned that will cross off entries in my 2013 Bucket List. It’s going to be a busy rest of the year but I am excited for all of it!
For a few months, my old dance teammates and I having been planning an alumni dinner formal for the entire team. We’ve been looking forward to seeing everyone dressed up together instead of wearing the usual practice attire: t-shirts and sweats. We held the event on Friday and the turn out was better than I expected. Even though I was helping, walking around to coordinate the night, it was a great time seeing everyone, reminiscing, laughing, eating, and dancing. It was worth the time and planning.
If you know me, I tend to say Yes to anyone who needs my assistance or participation in something, whether they are events, responsibilities, or favors. In high school and college, I was part of multiple student groups at once and juggled everything. I’m still trying to juggle responsibilities but thankfully it’s not as exhausting as it was in college. I am more than happy to be part of most things and serve others in any way I can. It brings me sort of joy. I just need to remember to not let it get to that point where I am exhausted and my eczema breaks out on my face and hands! It was like that a few weeks ago. I don’t enjoy that part.
I need to make sure I’m not taking on too many things at once and remember my priorities. I love what I am currently part of which includes different Catholic ministries within and outside my home parish. Being part of them helps me to love others in a new way and it can be very fulfilling. I am overjoyed at times! I try to bring that joy I feel from the Holy Spirit around to my friends and work but honestly, there have been plenty of times where I feel like I’m just going through the motions, rushing, and not putting my love in everything I do.
There was a period in April where I was doing everything but not making an effort to spend time with the Lord in prayer on my own everyday. That lack of time in quality prayer really affected all aspects of my life. I was wondering why I wasn’t at a high during Easter. I’m still not there yet. It’s a constant struggle. I tend to think about too many things, worrying about events, and watching TV shows to put off prayer. I always have a difficult time listening to God. Then I stay up late, wake up late and rush through my prayers again. I definitely didn’t wake up as early as I wanted to this morning. If I want to improve this, I need to discipline myself in waking up early, praying, being more productive, and going to bed at a reasonable time.
I know if I can mend my prayer time and relationship with God, my days won’t be wasted, what I put my time into won’t be so neglected or rushed, I’ll be less stressed being able to focus on myself as well, and my life will have more clarity. I know it will lead to a longer lasting joy to carry around the rest of this month of May and beyond.
Rejoice in the Lord always. I shall say it again: rejoice! Your kindness should be known to all. The Lord is near. Have no anxiety at all, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, make your requests known to God. Then the peace of God that surpasses all understanding will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. (Philippians, 4:4-7)
Vania Vitae 